Kate McCarthy's Blog, page 5

2014 is coming! What is it bringing for my readers?

Well, first off, Merry Christmas!!!

If you are anything like me, you’re probably exhausted after running the gauntlet of Christmas and are now struggling to make it through the day.



And your demon children are busy running loose, ripping up the house and leaving devastation in their wake.

I’m just sitting here, sucking on a wine bottle, feeling numb as I observe the aftermath. The piles of laundry, dirty dishes, toys, fridge exploding with leftovers (here let me take out another bottle of wine to create more space in there), a phone that won’t stop and.. OMG I’m whining (no one likes a whiner…).



Somehow I think I’ll be waiting a long time for the housekeeping fairy.

So the year is almost done. I’ve released three books to show for it. Am happy about that. I’m proud of my little books that could. But it leads me into the big question for 2014….

MORE BOOKS YEAH!

Merrick is coming! Link to GR:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18761603-merrick

“Soon you’ll learn not to feel fear. One day, Tait Jeremiah Merrick, you will be the one people fear.”

Merrick, 2014.

Casey is coming! Link to GR:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18169153-give-me-grace

‘Something ran deep beneath the surface of his beauty. Even I could see that. Something that made me want to chill the bitch factor, hold him tight and tell him if he was mine, I’d never let go, but I couldn’t do that and he looked a bit like he needed someone to do that.’

Give Me Grace, 2014.

What else? *shrugs*

I haven’t decided. The title of the next book in the Give Me series will be announced (who is it going to be – Henry or Mac?) so I’ll also be starting on that. Stay tuned.

So today I get to sit around all day in my pyjamas (really no different to any other day) while hubs takes our ferals swimming. I’ll push some of the rubble aside to clear a space so I can sit down and type, or maybe I’ll just sit outside where I don’t have to see it.

Or maybe I’ll just do this…

Can you sense a theme here?

I need sleep.

But I need to write too, so yeah, that’s happening first. Sleep is for the weak!

I somehow feel like this post has lost its way. I’m sorry.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and managed to squeeze in reading some really awesome books!

xoxo

Fighting Redemption Bonus Chapter

This additional chapter to Ryan and Fin’s story has been written as a HUGE thank you to my readers.

It’s so easy to read a book and simply move on to the next. I do it myself. I’ve received so many messages and emails of support from all of you telling me that not only is Fighting Redemption one of your top reads for 2013, but one that hasn’t been so easy to move on from. Well I can say this now, I’m having the same problem. I miss Ryan and Fin a lot! So not only did I want to write this chapter for you, I loved every minute of it.

For those who have yet to read Fighting Redemption, please DO NOT READ the bonus chapter. It takes place BEFORE the epilogue and contains spoilers.

If you’ve read Fighting Redemption, I implore you to leave a review on Amazon. I don’t have enough words to stress how much we, as authors, appreciate you leaving your reviews for other readers. It would mean so much!

—> http://amzn.com/B00H1BIZDU

So, before we scroll further down to where the bonus chapter is hiding, I want to say a BIG thank you to my beta readers for reviewing this addition to Ryan and Fin’s story and helping improve it, and a HUGE thank you to my editor, Max, for donating the time free of charge to help me bring this chapter to you.

So without further ado, I present to you, the Bonus Chapter!!!!! (please click on the link below to open in PDF format)

Fighting Redemption Bonus Chapter

If you have any trouble accessing the file on your computer, please contact me and I’ll arrange it in another format for you: katemccarthyauthor@gmail.com

If you haven’t yet listened to the Spotify Playlist for Fighting Redemption, you can find it here:

**THANK YOU TO ALL MY READERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT**

*****COMING UP NEXT*****

MERRICK

I know him only as Merrick.

He watches me.

I feel his eyes. They are hard and cold.

I hear his voice. It is flat and unemotional.

I see his body. It carries the scars of a soldier.

He is in charge of the Underground.

It doesn’t feel safe here.

But returning to the surface means death.

My name is Aeryn.

I am twenty-two and now a leader of the new world.

This is my story…

Add to Goodreads —>

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18761603-merrick

Bonus Chapter for Fighting Redemption. It’s happening folks…

Phew.

Release day has come and gone and I’m a mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted pile of human remains.

First off I want to say thank you to my readers. To the ones who’ve read my Give Me series, you all know this is a departure from my usual and I feared the worst, but I guess that was silly, because you all stuck by me. To my new readers (and old), ugh. You’ve all made me ugly cry (so you got your own back) with your posts, comments, personal emails, and personal messages. I’ve got them coming out the wahzoo and I couldn’t be happier. I’m so touched, thrilled and overwhelmed and promise to respond to all of you as quickly as I can.

Thank you.

I also thought, ‘what can I do? Giveaways are coming out readers ears right now with Christmas only moments away. What’s something really special that I can show readers how much I appreciate them?’

A BONUS CHAPTER OF FIGHTING REDEMPTION!!!!!!

Let’s revisit the story and a few more extra special moments. So yeah. It’s happening. Stay tuned. If you want to listen to the playlist (which I played over and over while writing this story until I could’ve puked because I love all the songs that much), you’ll find it on Spotify —->

Fighting Redemption

ALSO, don’t forget the BLOG TOUR is still running. Make sure you enter the giveaway. Seriously. Win Ryan’s dog tags, signed paperbacks and Amazon gift cards! —->

http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/guest-post-release-day-review.html

And if you missed my guest post on Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews, here’s a snippet. You can find the full version via the above link:

“Writing about war wasn’t easy. I researched. A lot. And my heart broke over and over at the stories I read. It made me hurt, and it made me feel, and I tried to pour all those feelings onto the page so I could share them with my readers. I want them to feel what I felt. The Australian SAS are notoriously private men, so hearing their stories are rare, and even though Fighting Redemption is a work of fiction, I’ve tried to inject as much truth into my characters as possible.

They make mistakes, and they laugh and yell, fight and cry, and they live through a war the best way they can. They accept things they don’t want to happen, learn what they don’t want to know, and let go of what they can’t live without. It’s not perfect, but it’s real.”

So I’ll leave you now with this:

and as soon as I have it ready for you (because this little baby IS going to my beta’s AND my editor) I will let you know, but I’m aiming for 16 December. So keep your eyes peeled!

Signed Paperbacks

If you wish to purchase a signed paperback, please find details below. If you wish to pre-order a paperback for a signed author event (recommended), please send a direct email with ‘Pre-order Paperback’ in the subject line to katemccarthyauthor@gmail.com. The next signing event will be Indie Authors Down Under on the Gold Coast, Australia in March 2014.

Payment is via PayPal or Direct Deposit only.

All prices are in USD:

Signed paperback $15 each + Shipping.

Shipping:

Australia $10 + $5 per additional paperback.

US/Canada/Asia $15 + $10 per additional paperback.

UK/Europe/Other $20 + $15 per additional paperback.

Please use the form below to make your purchase:

[contact-form]

Fighting Redemption is LIVE!!!

Such an exciting day!! I can’t wait to share this story with all of you xo

Links:

Amazon US:  http://amzn.com/B00H1BIZDU

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H1BIZDU

Apple: http://bit.ly/1cU1aBK

B&N: (still pre-order)  http://bit.ly/1anoIMv

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1fXiqez

Ryan Kendall is broken. He understands pain. He knows the hand of violence and the ache of loss. He knows what it means to fail those who need you. Being broken doesn’t stop him wanting the one thing he can’t have; Finlay Tanner. Her smile is sweet and her future bright. She’s the girl he grew up with, the girl he loves, the girl he protects from the world, and from himself.

At nineteen, Ryan leaves to join the Australian Army. After years of training he becomes an elite SAS soldier and deploys to the Afghanistan war. His patrol undertakes the most dangerous missions a soldier can face. But no matter how far he runs, or how hard he fights, his need for Finlay won’t let go.

Returning home after six years, one look is all it takes to know he can’t live without her. But sometimes love isn’t enough to heal what hurts. Sometimes people like him can’t be fixed, and sometimes people like Finlay deserve more than what’s left.

This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself.

Sneak Peek of Fighting Redemption

Jenny and Gitte over at Totally Booked have an exclusive for you!

A sneak peek at the upcoming FIGHTING REDEMPTION (coming December 2)!

Don’t miss this —–>  http://wp.me/p2WbFf-3rU

MERRICK is coming . . .

I know him only as Merrick.

He watches me.

I feel his eyes. They are hard and cold.

I hear his voice. It is flat and unemotional.

I see his body. It carries the scars of a soldier.

He is in charge of the Underground.

It doesn’t feel safe here.

But returning to the surface means death.

My name is Aeryn.

I am twenty-two and now a leader of the new world.

This is my story…

JUNE 2014 —> ADD TO GOODREADS

http://bit.ly/1gxymUU

Win an ARC of Fighting Redemption!

ARC GIVEAWAY!!!!

 

Open to the Give Me More Facebook Group. If you aren’t a member, you can join via the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/129191637276442/

The Giveaway is on NOW and runs until 10AM AEST 8 November.

To enter, you must be a member of the Give Me More Facebook Group, ‘like’ the Fighting Redemption ARC Giveaway Post and comment on the same post with your favourite line from my latest release, Give Me Strength.

Fighting Redemption – Cover Reveal & Synopsis

WIN!!! 5 ARCs of Fighting Redemption are available as well as 5 x $5 Amazon Gift Cards. Enter the Rafflecopter here:

http://bit.ly/17r2D2K

READ ON for the Synopsis, Cover and Excerpt!

Synopsis:

Ryan Kendall is broken. He understands pain. He knows the hand of violence and the ache of loss. He knows what it means to fail those who need you. Being broken doesn’t stop him wanting the one thing he can’t have; Finlay Tanner. Her smile is sweet and her future bright. She’s the girl he grew up with, the girl he loves, the girl he protects from the world, and from himself.

At nineteen, Ryan leaves to join the Australian Army. After years of training he becomes an elite SAS soldier and deploys to the Afghanistan war. His patrol undertakes the most dangerous missions a soldier can face. But no matter how far he runs, or how hard he fights, his need for Finlay won’t let go.

Returning home after six years, one look is all it takes to know he can’t live without her. But sometimes love isn’t enough to heal what hurts. Sometimes people like him can’t be fixed, and sometimes people like Finlay deserve more than what’s left.

This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself.

Cover:

Excerpt:

Later that morning after their workout and shower, Jake fell asleep on the couch. Feeling at a loss with nothing but time on his hands, Ryan wandered down the hall towards Fin’s room. She was sitting at a little study nook in the corner, laptop open with one foot resting on her chair. She was wearing a tank top and a little pair of shorts. Leaning up against the doorframe, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from those long, delectable legs.

As though sensing his presence, she turned in her chair. He forced his eyes upwards, catching a sexy flush fill her cheeks at his blatant perusal.

“Morning, Ryan.” She took off her black framed reading glasses and tossed them on the desk.

“Morning, Fin,” he replied.

Against his better judgement, Ryan pushed away from the door and walked farther into the room. Fin hadn’t changed at all and neither had his desire for her. His heart kicked over when she met his eyes. He knew everything he was feeling right now was written all over him, but he couldn’t seem to shut it off.

Her eyelids fluttered closed and she whispered, “Why now?”

Ryan took a deep breath. “I don’t know,” he replied honestly.

He shouldn’t still be feeling this way after so many years. Why was he doing this to her, and to himself? It was better for everyone if he stayed away like he was supposed to.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come. I’ll go stay at the barracks.” He turned to leave.

“Ryan!” she called out. Scrambling out of the chair, she grabbed his arm as he was halfway out the door.

“Fin,” he warned, looking down at her hand pointedly.

She took a step closer and he breathed her in, her scent like jasmine on a hot summer’s day. He was surprised when he looked into her eyes and saw anger burning hotly in their depths.

“Six years, Ryan. Do you know how hurt I was, each day passing by and getting nothing—not even a note or an email? I didn’t just lose you. I lost my brother too. Both of you left me, and I was okay with that. I understood that this was what you needed to do, so I moved on. I built a life that doesn’t include you. That was what I had to do.” She paused and raised a shaky hand to cup his cheek. “I’d have given you my entire heart if you’d only asked, but it’s not yours now. It’s not yours.”

Ryan closed his eyes, agony for losing what was never his rose in his chest until he felt strangled by it. He placed his hand over hers, holding it there until she tugged it away.

“You’re right,” Fin told him. “You should stay on the barracks … but I don’t want you to. Damn you, Ryan,” she whispered fiercely. “I don’t want you to.”

Ryan used his bulk to crowd her against the wall until there was no room for her to move. Leaning one hand against the wall, he grabbed her hip with the other. Her breathing rose rapidly and he leaned in, ducking his head until their mouths hovered a mere breath apart.

“Why can’t I force myself to leave?” He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “I hurt too. For six years I fought every day not to think of you, and I lost, because every day you were all I could see. You were the best thing in my life—so sweet and innocent, and so goddamn tempting.” His hand strayed from her hip and slid down to grip her ass. He swallowed the groan. “I stayed away so you could move on.”

Attn Bloggers – Fighting Redemption

Fighting Redemption will be released 2 December. Bloggers – don’t miss out on signing up for the following:

Release Day Blitz: http://bit.ly/GW2ESl

Blog Tour: http://bit.ly/19OntLv

Hosted by: Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews.